Eurovision 2023 is still in the air: Ukraine and the United Kingdom, against the EBU

Through a statement, the UER has concluded that Eurovision 2023 cannot be held in Ukraine, a decision that has caused the rejection of Boris Johnson and the Ukrainian institutions themselves.

The statement issued by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) stated that the organization had “taken the time to conduct a full assessment and feasibility study with specialists” to determine if it could be viable for technicians, spectators and artistic team celebrate the next edition of Eurovision in Ukraine. After considering all the factors, the EBU concluded that as of today “the operational and security guarantees required for a broadcaster to host, organize and produce the Eurovision Song Contest” They were not enough. As a result of this decision, and with the aim of “guaranteeing the continuity of the event”, the EBU announced its willingness to start talks with the BBC so that the British public media began to organize Eurovision 2023.

The reactions have not been long in coming. Although the EBU's intention is that Ukraine's victory could be reflected in the event organized by the United Kingdom public body, the Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, Oleksandr Tkachenko, has shown his rejection of the decision. Through a statement, the government chaired by Volodimir Zelensky has shared that it “does not agree with the nature of the decision” and has urged the EBU to “continue negotiations” with the aim of finding a solution that satisfy all parties.

At the same time, Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, stated after visiting kyiv that Ukraine “can and should” be able to organize Eurovision 2023, as there is still “a year left and things will be fine when it happens.” The BBC, as a broadcaster, He has not yet made his position clear..